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Help us raise the funds to produce The BIG North East Bedtime Storybook, a new children’s anthology of stories, poems and illustrations.
The BIG North East Bedtime Storybook began as a collaborative idea within the Writers’ Salon — a community of writers and illustrators brought together by a shared love of storytelling, creativity and the North East. What started as conversations and individual pieces of work has grown into an ambitious collective project: a beautifully produced children’s anthology filled with original stories, poetry and illustrations inspired by the people, places, humour, imagination and character of our region.
The project is being coordinated by the Bedtime Book Producers — Stephen Watson, Richard O’Neill, Ruth Aiken and Michelle Russell — working alongside the contributing writers and illustrators to take the book through editing, illustration, design, production and ultimately publication. Everyone involved is contributing their creativity voluntarily and without expectation of payment because we believe in the value of creating something distinctive for children and families.
Our vision is to produce a high-quality hardback book of around 100–125 pages — something substantial and beautifully made that children can enjoy at bedtime, families can return to again and again, and which celebrates the richness and creativity of the North East.
The creative work is already well underway. Stories and poems have been written, illustrations are being developed and incorporated into the book, and the editorial and production process is progressing. What we now need is the funding to transform that creative work into a professionally produced physical book.
We are aiming to raise £3,500. The money will primarily be used to cover the practical costs of producing the first edition, including final preparation of the book for print, proofs, professional hardback printing and binding, crowdfunding and payment costs, and a reasonable production contingency. The writers and illustrators are not being paid from the crowdfunding campaign for the work they have contributed.
If we exceed our initial target, additional funding will allow us to increase the print run and explore opportunities to place copies with North East schools, libraries and community settings, helping the book reach even more children.
Our ambition is to complete fundraising in time to move into final production during early 2027 and launch The BIG North East Bedtime Storybook in March 2027, around World Book Day.
The stories are written. The illustrations are taking shape. Now we need your help to turn them into a book.
Please support our Crowdfunder campaign, make a pledge if you can, and share the project with your friends, family, colleagues and networks. Every contribution — large or small — brings us one step closer to putting this book into the hands of children and families across the North East.
Support The BIG North East Bedtime Storybook here:
https://crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-big-north-east-bedtime-storybook
Help us bring the stories to life. Help us make the book happen.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 20th December 2026 at 5:11pm